Beachgoers in the UK were left astonished when a super rare shark washed up on a British beach, sparking intrigue and curiosity among onlookers. The sighting of this extraordinary creature has raised questions about the presence of a small population of these elusive sharks living off the Welsh coast.
These remarkable marine creatures are known as angel sharks and are classified as critically endangered. However, recent sightings over the past few years suggest that a limited population might be thriving in the waters off the Welsh coast, including a surprising discovery on an Abersoch beach in Pen Llyn.
Just last week, a rare angel shark was discovered on Traeth Trwyn Y Fach, near the Warren resort. A photograph taken by a passerby revealed that the shark had likely been deceased for some time. These flat sharks, scientifically known as Squatina squatina, are often mistaken for skates or rays. Interestingly, they were formerly referred to as “monkfish” in the UK until the mid-20th century.
Angel sharks are masters of camouflage and spend the majority of their lives concealed on the seabed, ambushing unsuspecting fish. Although a small number of these sharks may call the coast their home, their numbers have drastically declined over the past century.
Once abundant in the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, angel sharks have become one of the rarest shark species globally due to habitat disturbances, pollution, and incidental catches in fisheries. These sharks can reach lengths of up to six feet and weigh up to 70 pounds, but the one found in Gwynedd was considerably smaller, measuring around three-and-a-half to four feet in length.
In another remarkable incident earlier this year, beachgoers in Hampshire were left astounded when a six-foot shark washed up on a UK beach for the first time ever. Alisha Openshaw, a mother of two, initially believed she had successfully rescued the stranded shark when she guided it into deeper waters. Unfortunately, the shark was later discovered lifeless on the shore and identified as a smalltooth sand tiger shark, a species classified as Vulnerable on the Red List of Threatened Species.
These rare encounters with sharks on British beaches serve as poignant reminders of the fragile and interconnected nature of marine ecosystems, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect these extraordinary creatures and their habitats.
